Catalysis using phosphine oxide and sulfoxide compounds

ABSTRACT

Phosphine oxide and sulfoxide compounds were used with transition metals, preferably palladium and nickel, to produce biaryls, arylthiols, arylphosphine oxides and arylamines via cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides and arylboronic acids, aryl Grignard reagents, thiols, phosphine oxides or amines.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the use of phosphine oxide and sulfoxide compounds complexed with transition metals to produce biaryls and arylamines via cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides and arylboronic acids, aryl Grignard reagents, or amines.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Chelating phosphine compounds when bound to metal atoms are generally known to be useful as catalysts. One reaction which uses palladium phosphine catalysts is the coupling of aryl halides with amines for the production of arylamines, as reviewed by Hartwig, SYNLETT, 1997, (4), pg. 329-340. An example of this reaction is the coupling of chlorobenzene and piperidine to form N-phenylpiperidine:

[0003] Another reaction in which palladium/phosphine catalysts have been used is the Suzuki reaction, where biaryls are produced through the coupling of arylboronic acids and aryl halides, as reviewed by Suzuki, A, J. Orgmet. Chem., 576 (1999), pg. 147. One example of this reaction is the preparation of biphenyl from phenylboronic acid and chlorobenzene:

[0004] Both of these products are important classes of compounds widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, liquid polymers and ligands, and much work has been done on their preparation. However, there is an expanding need for stable, easily prepared catalysts that result in good yields and mild reaction conditions.

[0005] Preparation of new ligands has traditionally been performed one at a time after tedious synthesis and purification protocols. Combinatorial techniques have greatly accelerated the discovery of new ligands, but new synthetic schemes are needed. One valuable technique uses solid-phase supports. This solid-phase protocol allows reactions on a polymer-bound scaffold to be driven to completion by using large excesses of reagents in solution that can be easily filtered away from the polymer support. After the scaffold has been modified, an additional cleavage step then frees the small molecule from the polymer support into solution for isolation.

[0006] Phosphine oxide compounds and libraries have been prepared using polymer scaffolds in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/415,347 (U.S. Pat. No. 99/23509) which is incorporated in its entirety by reference. Lacking is a process for the convenient preparation of stable arylamines of the formula R¹—NR²R³ or biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁶ using a stable phosphine catalyst under mild conditions and producing good yields.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention is directed to the use of phosphine oxide compounds complexed with transition metals to produce biaryls and arylamines, arylthiol, arylphosphine oxides and derivatives thereof, via cross-coupling reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids, arylmagnesium halides, amines, thiols, and phosphine oxides.

[0008] More specifically, the invention is directed twoards a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷ comprising contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—MgX with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

[0009] Further, the invention includes a method for the use of phosphine oxides as ligands for homogeneous catalysis biaryls of the formula R¹-R⁷ comprising: (1) preparing a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring; and 2) contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—Mgx with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of the coordination compound prepared in step (1) to form biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷.

[0010] The invention is also directed to a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷ comprising contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—Mgx with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine sulfoxide compound of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

[0011] The invention is further directed to a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁶ comprising contacting a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound selected from the group consisting of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, [(t-Bu)₂P(OH)PdCl₂]₂, and [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

[0012] The invention is also directed to a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁶ comprising contacting a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-methoxylphenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 4-thiomethoxyphenyl and phenyl; R⁶ is phenyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl.

[0013] The invention is also directed to a process to prepare diaryl ketones of the formula R¹—C(═O)—R⁶ comprising contacting a a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with a carbonate salt and an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

[0014] The invention is also directed towards a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—S—R⁶ comprising contacting a thiol of the formula R⁶—SH with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a compound of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵ or HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

[0015] The invention is also directed to a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—PR¹⁰—R⁶ comprising contacting a compound of the formula KPR⁶R¹⁰ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of H and R⁶; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

[0016] A process to prepare arylamines of the formula R¹—NR²R³ comprising contacting an amine of the formula HNR²R³ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound of the formula {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, [(t-Bu)₂P(OH)PdCl₂]₂, or [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; and R² and R³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R² and R³ can together form a piperidyl ring.

[0017] The invention is also directed to a phosphine oxide transition metal complex dimer comprising two transition metal atoms bonded to at least one phosphine oxide ligand each, wherein each transition metal is bonded said ligands via metal-phosphorus bonds, and wherein the two transition metal atoms are bridged via two halogen atoms. Preferably, the phosphine oxide transition metal complex dimer of claim 42 comprising Formula I or Formula II

[0018] wherein M is a transition metal is selected from Periodic Group VIII; X is a halogen; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] This disclosure sets out methods for the use of phosphine oxide compounds complexed with transition metals to mediate carbon-carbon, carbon-heteroatom bond formations in the generation of biaryls, arylthiols, arylphosphines and arylamines via cross-coupling reactions with aryl halides and arylboronic acids, thiols, phosphine oxides or amines. Phosphine oxides were not previously used as ligands in homogeneous catalysis, primarily because the P-atoms do not have coordinated atoms with lone-pair electrons which were considered essential.

[0020] The processes of the instant invention are an improvement over similar processes in the art. The phosphine oxide compounds used in the instant processes are air-stable solids and are easily handled, and can be easily synthesized in a variety of forms using the methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/415,347 (U.S. Pat. No. 99/23509). The processes are easily adapted to combinatorial procedures and can be used to construct libraries of biaryls and arylamines, which are themselves widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, liquid polymers and as ligands. Two examples of compounds or derivatives thereof that could be made by these processes are the synthetic dye Quinizarin Green and p-aminobiphenyl, used as an antioxidant.

[0021] Phosphine Oxide Compounds and Libraries

[0022] Phosphine oxide compounds of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵ are known to exist in two tautomeric forms:

[0023] The phosphine oxide compounds can be prepared by any method. One such method is via the use of polymer scaffolds as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/415,347 (U.S. Pat. No. 99/23509), herein incorporated by reference. This scheme comprises the steps of contacting (i) a phosphine selected from the group consisting of XPR⁴R⁵ and HP(═O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen, and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄ and NQ₅Q₆, when Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅ and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyl amino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring, with (ii) a solid support, resulting in at least one P in the phosphine attached indirectly or directly to the solid support via one or more covalent bonds, and optionally replacing one or more of R⁴ and R⁵ with any other R⁴ and R⁵ defined above. With this reaction scheme, R⁴ and R⁵ can be symmetric, unsymmetric, or chiral.

[0024] Virtually any solid material may be used as a support to prepare the phosphine oxide compounds provided it meets the following criteria:

[0025] The material is insoluble in organic, aqueous, or inorganic solvents. Organic polymer supports are acceptable in this regard but they generally need to be crosslinked. Inorganic support, such as metal oxides (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, ZrO₂, etc.), clays, and zeolites, and modified carbons are generally insoluble in these solvents and also may be used as supports.

[0026] The support contains reactive sites, which can be used for the covalent attachment of the phosphorus.

[0027] The reactive sites are isolated to prevent additional crosslinking during further chemical transformations.

[0028] The reactive sites are exposed to the reaction medium. With a polymer resin support this is achieved through the use of a resin which swells in a reaction solvent or is sufficiently porous to allow transport of the reaction medium through the polymer matrix.

[0029] The term solid support refers to a material having a rigid or semi-rigid surface that contains or can be derivatized to contain functionality, which covalently links a compound to the surface thereof. Other modifications may be made in order to achieve desired physical properties. Such materials are well known in the art and include, by way of example, polystyrene supports, polyacrylamide supports, polyethyleneglycol supports, metal oxides such as silica, and the like. Such supports will preferably take the form of small beads, pellets, disks, films, or other conventional forms, although other forms may be used.

[0030] A preferred solid support is an organic or inorganic polymer to which the phosphorus can be covalently attached through a side chain or pendant group of the polymeric backbone. The polymer may be crosslinked or modified. Suitable preferred polymers useful in the preparation of a supported phosphine compound or a combinatorial library of supported phosphine compounds includes polyolefins, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and copolymers thereof that meet the general criteria described above. A more preferred polymeric support is polystyrene wherein the phosphorus is attached to a pendant phenyl group on the polystyrene backbone. Most preferred is polystyrene, crosslinked with divinylbenzene. Specifically, polystyrenes commonly used for solid phase synthesis have been used. These particular resins are crosslinked with from 1 to 10 wt % divinylbenzene. The styrene moieties are substituted in the para or meta positions. Only a portion of the styrene moieties are substituted, typically resulting in functional group loadings of approximately 0.2 to 2.0 mmole per gram of resin, although this value may be higher or lower.

[0031] A combinatorial library of phosphine oxides can be used in the instant invention as well as single compounds. To create a library, one or more phosphines are reacted with one or more solid supports, generating a plurality of supported phosphine compounds. Alternatively, a library may be created by reacting one supported phosphine compound with a plurality of cleaving agents, as described below.

[0032] As used herein, a combinatorial library is an intentionally created collection of a plurality of differing molecules which can be prepared by selected synthetic means and screened for a desired activity or characteristic in a variety of formats (e.g., libraries of soluble molecules, libraries of compounds attached to resin beads, silica chips, or other solid supports). The libraries are generally prepared such that the compounds are in approximately equimolar quantities, and are prepared by combinatorial synthesis. Combinatorial synthesis refers to the parallel synthesis of diverse compounds by sequential additions of multiple choices of reagents which leads to the generation of large chemical libraries containing related molecules having molecular diversity. Screening methods for libraries vary greatly and are dependent upon a desired activity, the size of library, and the class of compounds in the library.

[0033] The libraries can be of any type. These types include but are not limited to arrays and mixtures. Arrays are libraries in which the individual compounds are simultaneously synthesized in spatially segregated locations, typically identified by their location on a grid. Mixture libraries contain a mixture of compounds that are simultaneously synthesized and assayed. Identification of the most active compound is then performed by any of several techniques well known in the combinatorial art, such as deconvolution. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 91, pg. 10779 (1994)).

[0034] A preferred solid support for the combinatorial libraries of the instant invention is an organic or inorganic polymer as described above, to which the phosphorus can be covalently attached through a side chain or pendant group of the polymeric backbone.

[0035] One scheme used in attaching the P to the solid support is via the reaction of the halogen or hydrogen bonded to the phosphorus in the phosphine with a nucleophilic group that is covalently attached to a solid support. The term nucleophilic group is well recognized in the art and refers to chemical moieties having a reactive pair of electrons. This scheme can easily be adapted for combinatorial synthesis.

[0036] Examples of reactions to prepare the phosphine oxide compounds are shown but not limited to those in Scheme 1 below, where SS is the solid support, X is a halogen, M is any metal, R can be one or more of R⁴ or R⁵ as defined above, Z is a divalent attaching group covalently attached to at least one phosphorus in the phosphine, selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbylene, substituted hydrocarbylene, —O—, —S—, and —NR′—, where R′ is selected from the group consisting of an optionally-substituted hydrocarbyl and halogen, and the Z, O, S, and N substituents are covalently attached to the solid support.

[0037] Any of the substituents in the above compounds may be replaced by other functional groups using any procedure known in the art. One or all of the substituents can be reacted in a single reaction, depending on the choice of reactants and reaction conditions. These reactions can easily be adapted for combinatorial processes. Examples of suitable procedures are shown by but not limited to those depicted in Scheme 2 below, where X, and M are as defined above, and R indicates any of R⁴ or R⁵, as defined above. Examples of suitable definitions for M include mg, Li, and Zn. Cp indicates a cyclopentadienyl ring.

[0038] The phosphine oxide compounds are formed by cleaving the compound from the solid support by contacting the supported phosphine with a compound of the Formula ER″, wherein E is an electrophilic group and R″ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocycle, organometal, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocycle. R″ can be optionally replaced by any of R⁴ or R⁵. To create a library, one or more supported phosphines are reacted with one or more compounds of the Formula ER″, generating a plurality of phosphine compounds.

[0039] In the above process, E is any electrophilic group that will cleave the covalent bond attaching the phosphorus to the solid support. The term electrophilic group is a term well recognized in the art and refers to chemical moieties, which can accept a pair of electrons from a nucleophilic group as defined above. Suitable electrophilic groups include H, trimethylsilyl, PCl₂, halogens, and protons donated from compounds such as acids, alcohols, or amines.

[0040] In the instance where ER″ is water, the resulting POH group would rearrange to yield to form the phosphine oxide compounds used in the instant invention. These compounds can also be formed from any other phosphine of the formula RPR⁴R⁵ via the replacement of R with an —OH group using any method known in the art. An equivalent rearrangement occurs when a PSH group is present.

[0041] Another method for preparing the phosphine oxide compounds is to prepare a phosphine oxide attached to the solid support, as explained above, then to cleave the phosphine oxide directly from the solid support.

[0042] After cleavage from the solid support, R⁴ and R⁵ may be replaced with any other substituent using any method known in the art, in order to prepare a further range of compounds, such as those described in Encyclopedia of Inorganic Chemistry (John Wiley & Sons, Vol. 6, pg. 3149-3213).

[0043] Reactions of Amines with Aryl Halides to Prepared Arylamines of the Formula NHR²R³

[0044] A process is described to prepare arylamines of the formula R¹—NR²R³ comprising contacting an amine of the formula HNR²R³ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵.

[0045] In this process, X is a halogen, R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl radical, R² and R³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R² and R³ can together form a ring, and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄ and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅ and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring. Optionally, the process can be performed intramolecularly; i.e. the amine functionality and the aryl functionality are both located on the same compound and the process results in a cyclization.

[0046] The amine and the aryl compound can be prepared by any method, including any of the well-known processes in the art.

[0047] “Coordination compound” refers to a compound formed by the union of a metal ion (usually a transition metal) with a non-metallic ion or molecule called a ligand or complexing agent.

[0048] The transition metals are defined as metals of atomic number 21 through 83. Preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII (defined as Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt). More preferred is Pd and Ni. The complex can be made by any synthetic method known in the art, either through direct reaction or via the use of a transition metal precursor.

[0049] The phosphine oxide compound is prepared as disclosed above. The phosphine oxide used in the instant invention can exist in either tautomeric form when present as a component of the complex. Examples of this include {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂]}₂, {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, {[(Ph)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂ where Ph is phenyl, [(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂]₂, [(Cy)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂]₂ where Cy is cyclohexyl. The complex can be isolated and purified before use, or be prepared and used in situ. The phosphine oxide may also be isolated and purified before use, or be prepared and used in situ. Many of these techniques are described in Hartley, F. R. (Ed), Chem. Met.-Carbon Bond, 1987, vol. 4, pp. 1163-1225).

[0050] By hydrocarbyl is meant a straight chain, branched or cyclic arrangement of carbon atoms connected by single, double, or triple carbon to carbon bonds and/or by ether linkages, and substituted accordingly with hydrogen atoms. Such hydrocarbyl groups may be aliphatic and/or aromatic. Examples of hydrocarbyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, methylcyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methyl-cyclohexyl, benzyl, phenyl, o-tolyl, m-tolyl, p-tolyl, xylyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclooctenyl, cyclooctadienyl, and butynyl. Examples of substituted hydrocarbyl groups include methoxy, phenoxy, toluyl, chlorobenzyl, fluoroethyl, p—CH₃—S—C₆H₅, 2-methoxy-propyl, and (CH₃)₃SiCH₂.

[0051] By aryl is meant an aromatic carbocyclic group having a single ring (e.g., phenyl), multiple rings (e.g., biphenyl), or multiple condensed rings in which at least one is aromatic, (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, naphthyl, anthryl, or phenanthryl), which is optionally mono-, di-, or trisubstituted with, e.g., halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, trifluoromethyl, lower acyloxy, aryl, heteroaryl, and hydroxy. By aryl is also meant heteroaryl groups where heteroaryl is defined as 5-, 6-, or 7-membered aromatic ring systems having at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Examples of heteroaryl groups are pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, oxazolyl, furanyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, thiazolyl, and thienyl, which can optionally be substituted with, e.g., halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, trifluoromethyl, lower acyloxy, aryl, heteroaryl, and hydroxy.

[0052] A preferred process is where R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and where R² and R³ are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, optionally substituted aryl, and where R² and R³ are hydrocarbyl and together form a ring. More preferred is where X is Cl, Br, or I, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl and 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, R² and R³ are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, and together form a piperidyl ring, and R⁴ and R⁵ are selected from the group consisting of t-butyl, phenyl, i-propyl, and 2,4-methoxyphenyl and a piperidyl ring. Also preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII. More preferred is Pd, or Ni,

[0053] Reactions of Arylboronic Acids, thiols, phosphines with Aryl Halides to Prepare Biaryls of the Formula R¹—R⁶, R¹—C(═O)—R⁶, R¹—S—R⁶, and R¹—PR¹⁰—R⁶.

[0054] The instant invention also describes a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁶ comprising contacting a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵; where X is a halogen, R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl, R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring. Optionally, the process can be performed intramolecularly; i.e., the boronic acid functionality and the aryl functionality are both located on the same compound and the process results in a cyclization.

[0055] A preferred process is where R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and where R⁶ is an optionally substituted aryl. More preferred is where X is Cl, Br, or I, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of of phenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-thiomethoxyphenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl and 4-methylphenyl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of 4-methoxyphenyl, and phenyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ are selected from the group consisting of t-butyl, phenyl, i-propyl, and 2,4-methoxyphenyl. Also preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII. More preferred is Pd and Ni. Also preferred is where the catalyst is {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, [(t-Bu)₂P(OH)PdCl₂]₂, or [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂. Most preferred is {[(t-BU)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂.

[0056] When a carbonate salt is added to the reaction mixture, diaryl ketones of the formula R¹—(C═O)—R⁶ are formed. A preferred process is where X is Cl or Br, R¹ is phenyl, R⁶ is phenyl, and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl. Also preferably, the catalyst is {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂. The carbonate salt can be any salt that is a source of carbonate (CO₃ ⁻²) ions, preferably a alkali or alkaline earth salt such as K₂CO₃.

[0057] The instant invention also describes a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—S—R⁶ comprising contacting a thiol of the formula R⁶—SH with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine sulfoxide compound of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵ or a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵. R¹, R⁶, R⁴ and R⁵ and the phosphine sulfoxides and oxides are as described above. Optionally, the process can be performed intramolecularly; i.e., the thiol functionality and the aryl functionality are both located on the same compound and the process results in a cyclization. A preferred process is where R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and where R⁶ is an optionally substituted aryl. More preferred is where X is Cl, Br, or I, R¹ is phenyl, R⁶ is t-butyl or phenyl, and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl. Also preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII. More preferred is Pd or Ni. More preferred also is where the catalyst is {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂.

[0058] Also described is process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—PR¹⁰—R⁶ comprising contacting a compound of the formula KPR⁷R¹⁰ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵. R¹, R⁶, R⁴ and R⁵ and the phosphine oxides are as described above, and R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of H and R⁶. Optionally, the process can be performed intramolecularly; i.e., the phospine functionality and the aryl functionality are both located on the same compound and the process results in a cyclization. A preferred process is where R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and where R¹⁰ is R⁶, and R⁶ are an optionally substituted aryl. More preferred is where X is Cl, and the catalyst is {[R⁴R⁵ P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, R¹ is 4-tolyl or 2-methoxylphenyl, R⁶ is phenyl, and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl. Also preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII. More preferred is Pd.

[0059] Reactions of Aryl Grignards with Aryl Halides to Prepare Biaryls of the Formula R¹—R⁶

[0060] The instant invention also describes a process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷ comprising contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—MgX with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵; where X is a halogen, R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl, R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring. Optionally, the process can be performed intramolecularly; i.e., the Grignard functionality and the aryl functionality are both located on the same compound and the process results in a cyclization.

[0061] A preferred process is where R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and where R⁷ is an optionally substituted aryl. More preferred is where X is Cl, R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 4-methoxylphenyl and phenyl, R⁷ is o-tolyl, and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl. Also preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII. More preferred is Ni.

[0062] The process described above to produce biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷ comprising contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—MgX with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X may also be performed in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine sulfoxide of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵. R¹, R⁷, R⁴ and R⁵ are as described above. Optionally, the process can be performed intramolecularly; i.e., the Grignard functionality and the aryl functionality are both located on the same compound and the process results in a cyclization. The phosphine sulfoxides can be prepared using the procedures described above for the phosphine oxides. The phosphine sulfoxide used in the instant invention can also exist in either tautomeric form when present as a component of the complex. The complex can be isolated and purified before use, or be prepared and used in situ. The phosphine sulfoxide may also be isolated and purified before use, or be prepared and used in situ. A preferred process is where R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl, R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and where R⁷ is an optionally substituted aryl. More preferred is where X is Cl, Br, or I. R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 4-methoxylphenyl and phenyl, R⁷ is o-tolyl, and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl. Also preferably, the transition metal is from Periodic Group VIII. More preferred is Ni.

[0063] Schemes 1 and 2 to form phosphine oxides and sulfoxides, the cleaving procedures, and the coupling reactions disclosed above are preferably performed under dry, inert atmosphere with dry, deoxygenated solvents. Any solvent is suitable provided that it is inert to all reagents and products. Suitable temperatures for homogeneous catalysis range from −80° C. to 200° C. Preferred temperatures are about 0° C. to about 150° C. Preferably a base should be added in the coupling reactions disclosed. Preferred bases are CsF, CsCO₃, K₂CO₃, Na2CO3 and NaOtBu.

[0064] The following non-limiting Examples are meant to illustrate the invention but are not intended to limit it in any way.

Materials and Methods

[0065] All manipulations of air-sensitive materials were carried out with rigorous exclusion of oxygen and moisture in flame-dried Schlenk-type glassware on a dual manifold Schlenk line, interfaced to a high-vacuum (10⁻⁴-10⁻⁵ Torr) line, or in a nitrogen-filled Vacuum Atmospheres glovebox with a high-capacity recirculator (1-2 ppm of O₂). Before use, all solvents were distilled under dry nitrogen over appropriate drying agents (such as sodium benzophenone ketyl and metal hydrides except for chlorinated solvents). Deuterium oxide, THF-D₈, C₆D₆ and chloroform-d were purchased from Cambridge Isotopes (Andover, Mass.). All organic and inorganic starting materials were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee Wis.), Farchan Laboratories Inc. (Gainesville, Fla.), Strem Chemicals (Newburyport, Mass.), Calbiochem—NovaBiochem Corp. (San Diego, Calif.), Rieke Metals, Inc. (Lincoln, Nebr.), or Lancaster Synthesis Inc. (Windham, N.H.), and when appropriate were distilled prior to use. List of abbreviations dba Bis(dibenzylideneacetone) DVB Divinylbenzene GC/MS Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy FT Fourier transform h Hour i.d Inner diameter in. Inch Me Methyl mg milligram NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance tBu tert-butyl

Physical and Analytical Measurements

[0066] NMR spectra were recorded on either a Nicolet NMC-300 wide-bore (FT, 300 MHz, ¹H; 75 MHz, ¹³C, 121 MHz ³¹P), or GE QM-300 narrow-bore (FT, 300 MHz, ¹H) instrument. Chemical shifts (δ) for ¹H, ¹³C are referenced to internal solvent resonances and reported relative to SiMe₄. ³¹P NMR shifts are reported relative to external phosphoric acid. Analytical gas chromatography was performed on a Varian Model 3700 gas chromatograph with FID detectors and a Hewlett-Packard 3390A digital recorder/integrator using a 0.125 in. i.d. column with 3.8% w/w SE-30 liquid phase on Chromosorb W support. GC/MS studies were conducted on a VG 70-250 SE instrument with 70 eV electron impact ionization.

[0067] The polymer bound monophosphines were prepared as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/415,347 (U.S. Pat. No. 99/23509). The functional groups on the phosphines can be added in two steps to yield unsymmetrical substitutions, or in one step to yield more symmetrical substitution.

[0068] A solution of t-butylamine (276 g, 3.78 moles) and KI (0.3 g, 2 mmol) in 1000 mL of THF was treated with chloromethylpolystyrene-divinylbenzene (Merrifield resin, 2% DVB, 75 g, 1.26 mmol/g, 94.5 mmol) while stirring at room temperature for 30 min. The suspension was then refluxed for 24 h before the solution was filtered off. The resulting resin was washed with H₂O (3×250 mL), THF (3×150 mL), then hexane (3×200 mL). After drying in vacuum overnight, 75 g of the resin were obtained (98% yield according to N elemental analysis. Anal. calculated for polymer-NHC(Me)₃: N, 1.25. Found: N, 1.22). Also the disappearance of ¹H resonances of polymer-Ph-CH₂—Cl (CH₂=˜4.5 ppm) and the appearance of ¹H resonances of polymer-Ph-CH₂—NHC(Me)₃ (CH₂=˜3.7 ppm) indicates that the chloromethyl groups were completely transformed to tert-butylaminometyl groups. Hereafter this will be referred to as Resin I.

[0069] A solution of PCl₃ (26 g, 189 mmol) in 400 mL of THF was treated slowly with Resin I from above (25 g, 1.21 mmol/g, 30.3 mmol) while stirring at room temperature for a period of 30 min. before Et₃N (16 g, 157.5 mmol) was added. The resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature overnight before the solution was filtered off. The resin was washed with hexane (2×50 mL), CH₂Cl₂ (5×80 mL), and hexane (5×30 mL). The resulting polymer-bound PCl₃ resin was dried in vacuum overnight. ³¹P NMR (122 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 179.1 ppm.

[0070] A suspension of the polymer-bound PCl₂ resin from above (5.0 g, 1.12 mmol/g, 5.6 mmol) in 150 mL of THF was treated slowly with phenylmagnesium bromide (2 M solution in diethylether, 64 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. before the solution was filtered off and the resin was washed with THF (3×50 mL), Me₂CHOH/THF (20% Me₂CHOH, 10 mL), hexane (3×30 mL). The resulting resin was dried in vacuum overnight to yield polymer-bound PPh₂. ³¹P NMR (122 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 52.3 ppm.

[0071] A solution of Cl₂PPh (33.8 g, 189 mmol) and Et₃N (16.0 g, 157.5 mmol) in 500 mL of THF was treated slowly with Resin I (25.0 g, 1.21 mmol/g, 30.3 mmol) while stirring at room temperature for a period of 10 min. The resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature overnight before the solution was filtered off. The resin was washed with THF (50 mL), hexane (3×50 mL), CH₂Cl₂ (4×50 mL), and hexane (2×50 mL). The resulting polymer-bound PPhCl resin was dried in vacuum overnight. ³¹P NMR (122 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 135.4 ppm.

[0072] A suspension of the resulting resin, the polymer-bound PPhCl, (5.0 g, 1.03 mmol/g, 5.2 mmol) in 150 mL of THF was treated slowly with i-propylmagnesium chloride (0.5 M solution in diethylether, 32.0 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h before the solution was filtered off and the resin was washed with THF (3×10 mL), Me₂CHOH/THF (20% Me₂CHOH, 5 mL), hexane (3×30 mL). The resulting resin was dried in vacuum overnight to afford polymer-bound (i-C₃H₇)PPh. ³¹P NMR (122 MHz, CDCl₃): 655.5 ppm.

[0073] The following Experiments illustrate the preparation of the phosphine oxide catalyst used in the method.

Experiment 1 Synthesis of (Me₂CH)PH(O)(Ph)

[0074] A suspension of polymer-bound PPh(CHMe₂) prepared as described above (1.25 g, 1.02 mmol/g, 1.28 mmol, ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 55.5 ppm) and H₂O (0.1 g, 4.8 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was refluxed overnight before the resin was filtered off and washed with THF (2×5 mL). The filtrate was dried under vacuum to remove the solvent and excess H₂0. The resulting residue was 80 mg (37% yield) of (Me₂CH)PH(O)(Ph). It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-decoupled): δ 47.8. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-coupled): δ 47.8 (d, J_(p-H)=487.7 Hz). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.74-7.53 (m, 5H), 7.25 (d, J_(p-H)=487.5 Hz, 1H), 2.33 (m, 1H), 1.12 (m, 6H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 133.8, 131.1, 129.4, 125.4, 28.0, 14.7. HRMS: Calculated for C₉H₁₃PO(M⁺): 168.0704. Found: 168.0704.

Experiment 2 Synthesis of (Me₃C)PH(O)(CMe₃)

[0075] A solution of (Me₃C)₂PCl (3.0 g, 16.6 mmol, Aldrich) in 5.0 mL of CH₂Cl₂ was treated with H₂O (0.5 g, 27.8 mmol) over a period of 5 min. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for an additional 30 min. Removal of solvent and excess H₂O afforded 2.45 g (91% yield) of (Me₃C)PH(O)(CMe₃). It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. The pure product was obtained by sublimation (ca. 130° C./10⁻³ torr), ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-decoupled): δ 69.8 ppm. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-coupled): δ 69.8 (d, J_(p-H)=434.2 Hz). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 5.96 (d, J_(P-H)=434.7 Hz, ¹H), 1.14 (d, H_(p-H)=156.4 Hz, 18H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 33.8 ppm 14 (d, H_(P-C)=58.0 Hz), 25.6 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₈H₁₉PO(M⁺): 162.1. Found: 163.4 (M⁺+H).

Experiment 3 Synthesis of 2—PH(O)(i-Pr)—1, 5—(MeO)₂C₆H₃

[0076] A solution of PBr₃ (2.5 g, 9.2 mm) in 15 mL of pyridine was treated with 1,3-dimethoxybenzene (2.5 g, 18.1 mm) over a period of 5 min. The resulting mixture was then refluxed for 4 h to give the crude 1-dibromophosphino-2,4-dimethoxybenzene (³¹P NMR: δ 159.2 ppm). This compound was used directly for the next step without further purification. Next, polymer-supported secondary amines (10.0 g, 1.1 mmol/g, 11.0 mmol) was slowly added into the mixture above while stirring at room temperature for a period of 10 min. The resulting suspension was stirred at room temperature overnight before the solution was filtered off. The resin was washed with THF (50 mL), hexane (3×50 mL), CH₂Cl₂ (4×50 mL), and hexane (2×50 mL). The resulting resin was dried in vacuum overnight to yield the polymer-supported P(Br)-2, 4—(MeO)₂—C₆H₃. ³¹P NMR (122 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 153.8 ppm.

[0077] A suspension of this polymer-bound compound (2.0 g, 1.82 mmol, 0.908 mm/g) and I-PrMgBr (12.0 mmol, 1.0 M in THF solution) in 10 mL of THF was refluxed overnight before the solution was filtered off. The resulting resin was washed with THF (3×20 mL), CH₂Cl₂ (3×10 mL), Me₂CHOH (2×10 mL), THF/H₂O (70/30 volume ratio, 2×20 mL) and hexane (3×10 mL). The resin was dried in vacuum overnight. 31P NMR (122 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 60.7 ppm.

[0078] A suspension of polymer-bound P(i-Pr)—2, 4—(MeO)₂—C₆H₃ (2.0 g, 1.876 mmol, 0.938 mm/g) and H₂O (0.5 g, 28 mm) in 10 mL of THF was refluxed overnight before the resin was filtered off and washed with hexane (3×10 mL). Removal of solvents and excess H₂O from the filtrates by vacuum afforded 100 mg (23% yield) of P(i-Pr)—2, 4—(MeO)₂—C₆H₃. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ³¹P NMR (202 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 35.8 (s) ppm. ³¹P NMR (¹H-coupled, 202 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 35.8 (d, H_(P-H)=485.8 Hz) ppm. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.57 (m, 1H), 7.25 (d, H_(P-H)=485.2 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (m, 1H), 6.37 (m, 1H), 3.76 (d, J=15.2 Hz, 3H), 3.70 (d, J=38.7 Hz, 3H), 2.18 (m, ¹H), 1.12-0.81 (m, 6H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): 165.0, 161.8, 135.1, 105.6, 105.5, 98.2, 67.9, 55.6, 27.4, 14.5 ppm. MS: 229.2 (M+1).

Experiment 4 Synthesis of (Me₃C)₂PH(S)

[0079] A mixture of (Me₃C)₂PH (5.0 g, 34.2 mm), and S₈ (1.096 g, 34.19 mm) in 150.0 mL of 1, 4-dioxane was refluxed for 24 h. The resulting mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. Removal of solvent followed by sublimation (10⁻³ torr/140) afforded 6.0 g (98 % yield) of (Me₃C)₂PH(S). It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-decoupled): δ 75.8 ppm. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-coupled): δ 76.6 (d, J_(p-H)=417.1 Hz). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 5.84 (d, H_(P-H)=417.3 Hz, ¹H), 1.33 (d, H_(p-H)=16.5 Hz, 18H). ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 35.8 (d, J_(P-C)=42.2 Hz), 27.3 (d, H_(P-C)=2.46 Hz) ppm. IR (KBr): 2999, 2975, 2952, 2923, 2901, 2864, 2313, 1635,1470, 1390, 1367, 1360, 1188, 1028, 1014, 903 cm⁻¹. HRMS: Calcd for C₈H₁₉PS: 179.1023. Found: 179.1018. Anal. Calcd for C₈H₁₉PS: C, 53.90; H, 10.74; P, 17.37. Found: C, 53.63; H, 10.60; P, 17.46.

Experiment 5 Synthesis of Ph₂PH(S)

[0080] A mixture of Ph₂PH (10.0 g, 53.7 mm), and S₈ (1.70 g, 53.0 mm) in 150.0 mL of 1, 4-dioxane was refluxed for 24 h. The resulting mixture was cooled to room temperature and filtered. Removal of solvent followed by sublimation (10⁻³ torr/150° C.) afforded Ph₂PH(S). It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-decoupled): δ 23.8 ppm.

Experiment 6 Preparation of Pd-(t-Bu)₂P—SH Complex

[0081] Method A. A solution of 32.0 mg (0.112 mm) of Pd(COD)Cl₂ and 20.0 mg (0.112 mm) of (t-Bu)₂PH(S) in 2.0 mL of THF was boiled under reflux for 12 h. Examination of the reaction mixture by ¹H-coupled ³¹P NMR at this point revealed only a singlet at δ145.2 ppm. After filtration, the removal of solvent under vacuum affords a brown solid. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-decoupled): δ 146.3 ppm. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃, ¹H-coupled): δ 145.2 (s). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.40 (d, H_(P-H)=18.4 Hz, 18H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 45.2 (d, H_(P-C)=40.0 Hz), 27.5 ppm.

[0082] Method B. A solution of 50.0 mg (0.0546 mm) of Pd₂(dba)₃ and 20.0 mg (0.112 mm) of (t-Bu)₂PH(S) in 4.0 mL of 1, 4-dioxane was boiled under reflux for 12 h. Examination of the reaction mixture by ¹H-coupled ³¹P NMR at this point revealed a singlet at δ149.2 ppm as a major component.

Experiment 7 Preparation of [Bis-(di-t-butylphosphinous acid)] palladium chloride dimer {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂

[0083] Method A. In the dry box, a solution of 1.608 g (8.90 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂P—Cl in 50 mL of 1,4-dioxane and 160.0 mg (8.90 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 1.0 g (4.45 mmol) of Pd(OAc)₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 5 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 125.5 (˜5%), 123.5 (˜45%), 123.3 (˜45%) resonances, and no unchanged (Me₃C)₂PCl and (Me₃C)₂P(O)H. After cooling to room temperature the mixture was concentrated by rotary evaporation to afford 1.85 g (89% yield) of [Bis-(di-t-butylphosphinous acid)]palladium (I) chloride dimer. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.37 (d, J=14.57 Hz) ppm. ¹³C NMR (76 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 41.9 (t, J=14.41 Hz), 29.48 (s) ppm. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 124.0 ppm. ¹H-coupled ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 124.9 (s) ppm. Anal. Calcd for C₃₂H₇₆O₄P₄Pd₂: C, 41.21; H, 8.21; P, 13.28; Cl, 7.60. Found: C, 41.21; H, 8.66; P, 13.28; Cl, 7.54. The crystallographic sample was obtained by slow recrystallization from a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane.

[0084] Method B. A 500 mL of round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 1.469 g (8.90 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O) which was generated from (Me₃C)₂PCl and H₂O in CH₂Cl₂, 1.0 g (4.45 mm) of Pd(OAc)₂ and 100 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was then heated to a gentle reflux under open-to-air condition for 20 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture showed the δ 125.5 (˜5%) and 123.4 (˜95%) resonance, and no unchanged (Me₃C)₂PH(O). After cooling to room temperature the solution was concentrated by rotary evaporation, the residue was extracted with hexane (10×100 mL). The extracts were combined, dried under vacuum to afford 1.80 g (87% yield) of yellow solids. It was >95% pure by ¹H and ³¹P NMR. ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 124.0 ppm.

[0085] Method C. A 500 mL of round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 1.160 g (7.15 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O), 0.621 g (3.50 mmol) of PdCl₂ and 100 mL of THF. The resulting mixture was then heated to a gentle reflux under open-to-air condition for 14 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture showed the δ 123.5 (˜5%), 122.7 (˜95%) resonances, and no unchanged (Me₃C)₂PH(O). After cooling to room temperature the solution was concentrated by rotary evaporation to afford 1.80 g (87% yield) of (di-t-butylphosphinous acid)palladium (I) chloride dimer.

[0086] Method D. In the dry box, a solution of 4.076 g (22.56 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂P—Cl in 135 mL of THF and 407 mg (22.61 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 2.0 g (11.28 mmol) of PdCl₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 24 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 123.5 (˜5%), 122.7 (˜80%) as major resonances. After cooling to room temperature the mixture was concentrated by rotary evaporation to afford 4.30 g (82% yield) of (di-t-butylphosphinous acid)palladium (I) chloride dimer.

X-Ray Crystal Structure Analysis

[0087] CRYSTAL DATA: C₃₂H₇₆Cl₂O₄P₄Pd₂, from dichloromethane/hexane, light gold, square prism, ˜0.20×0.04×0.04 mm, orthorhombic, P212121 , a=14.7052(13) Å, b=15.3071(13) Å, c=19.0752(17) Å, alpha=90°, beta=90°, gamma=90°, Vol=4293.7(7) Å3, Z=4, T=−100.° C., Formula weight=930.49, Density=1.439mg/m³, μ(Mo)=1.14 mm-1

[0088] DATA COLLECTION: Bruker SMART 1K CCD system, MoKalpha radiation, standard focus tube, anode power=50 kV×40 mA, crystal to plate distance=4.9 mm, 512×512 pixels/frame, multirun data aquisition, total scans=9, total frames=6170, oscillation/frame=−0.30°, exposure/frame=10.0 sec/frame, maximum detector swing angle=−42.0°, beam center=(254.93,252.33), in plane spot width=1.23, omega half width=0.54, SAINT integration, 1936, hkl min/max=(−19, 17, −20, 20, −25, 25), data collected=40411, unique data=10392, two-theta range=3.42 to 56.60°, completeness to two-theta 56.60=98.90%, R(int)=0.0677, SADABS correction applied.

[0089] SOLUTION AND REFINEMENT: Structure solved using XS(Shelxtl), refined using shelxtl software package, refinement by full-matrix least squares on F 2, scattering factors from Int. Tab. Vol C Tables 4.2.6.8 and 6.1.1.4, number of data=10392, number of restraints=0, number of parameters=430, data/parameter ratio=24.17, goodness-of-fit on F2=0.80, R indices[I>4sigma(I)] R1=0.0372, wR2=0.0579, R indices(all data) R1=0.0779, wR2=0.0652, max difference peak and hole=1.398 and −0.430 e/Å3, refined flack parameter=0.00(12), All hydrogen atoms except H2A and H3A have been idealized as riding hydrogens. The rotation of the methyl groups are refined.

[0090] RESULTS: The asymmetric unit contained one molecule with thermal ellipsoids drawn to the 50% probability level. The structure was a racemic twin and the flack parameter had been refined as a full matrix parameter to a value of 0.41(2). The OH group on each side of the molecule formed a symmetric hydrogen bond with the O—. The +2 charge of each palladium atom was balanced by the O-1 and CL-1 atoms. The generated structure is shown in FIG. 1.

Experiment 8 Preparation of (Di-t-butylphosphinous acid)palladium dichloride dimer [(t-Bu)₂P(OH) PdCl₂]₂

[0091] Method A. A 500 mL of round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 1.160 g (7.15 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O), 1.242 g (7.00 mm) of PdCl₂ and 100 mL of THF. The resulting mixture was then heated to a gentle reflux under open-to-air condition for 20 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture showed the δ 146.96 (singlet, ca. 95%) and 123.0 (singlet, ca. 5%) resonances, and no unchanged (Me₃C)₂PH(O). After cooling to room temperature, the solution was filtered and concentrated by rotary evaporation to afford 2.0 g of dichloro(di-t-butylphosphinous acid)palladium (II) dimer. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 5.23 (m, ¹H), 1.43 (d, J=16.3 Hz, 18H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 42.2 (d, J_(P-C)=25.4 Hz), 28.0 ppm. ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 202 MHz): δ 145.0 ppm. Anal. Calcd for C₁₆H₃₈P₂O₂C₁₄Pd₂: C, 28.3; H, 5.64. Found: C, 27.86; H, 5.47. The crystallographic sample was obtained by slow recrystallization from a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane.

X-Ray Crystal Structure Analysis

[0092] CRYSTAL DATA: C8 H19 C12 O P Pd, from dichloromethane/hexane, red/orange, irregular block, ˜0.32×0.32×0.16 mm, triclinic, P-1 , a=7.8076(10) Å, b=8.0145(10) Å, c=10.4598(10) Å, alpha=84.127(2)°, beta=84.870(2)°, gamma=87.923(2)°, Vol=648.23(13) Å3, Z=2, T=−100.° C., Formula weight=339.50, Density=1.739mg/m3, μ(Mo)=1.93 mm−1

[0093] DATA COLLECTION: Bruker SMART 1K CCD system, MoKalpha radiation, standard focus tube, anode power=50 kV×40 mA, crystal to plate distance=4.9 mm, 512×512 pixels/frame, hemisphere data aquisition, total scans=4, total frames=1310, oscillation/frame=−0.30°, exposure/frame=8.0 sec/frame, maximum detector swing angle=−28.0°, beam center=(254.93,252.33), in plane spot width=1.74, omega half width=0.48, SAINT integration, 340, hkl min/max=(−10, 5, −10, 10, −13, 13), data collected=4226, unique data=2937, two-theta range=3.92 to 56.56°, completeness to two-theta 56.56=91.00%, R(int)=0.0131, SADABS correction applied.

[0094] SOLUTION AND REFINEMENT: Structure solved using XS(Shelxtl), refined using shelxtl software package, refinement by full-matrix least squares on F 2, scattering factors from Int. Tab. Vol C Tables 4.2.6.8 and 6.1.1.4, number of data=2937, number of restraints=0, number of parameters=129, data/parameter ratio=22.77, goodness-of-fit on F2=1.07, R indices[I>4sigma(I)] R1=0.0243, wR2=0.0666, R indices(all data) R1=0.0265, wR2=0.0682, max difference peak and hole=0.539 and −0.941 e/Å3, All hydrogen atoms except H1 have been idealized as riding hydrogens. The rotation of the methyl groups are refined.

[0095] RESULTS: The asymmetric unit contained one half of the molecule with thermal ellipsoids drawn to the 50% probability level. The generated structure is shown in FIG. 2.

[0096] Method B. A solution of 2.0 g (7.00 mmol) of Pd(COD)Cl₂ and 1.16 g (7.03 mmol) of (t-Bu)₂PH(O) in 100 mL of 1,4-dioxane was boiled under reflux for 17 h. Examination of the reaction mixture by ¹H-coupled ³¹P NMR at this point revealed only a singlet at δ147.6 ppm. Solvent was removed from filtrate in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂. Evaporation of the filtrate in vacuum followed by crystallization from a mixture of CH₂Cl₂/hexane (95:5 volume ratio) gave 2.0 g (84% yield) of dark brown [(t-Bu)₂P—(OH)PdCl₂]₂. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 5.23 (m, 1H), 1.43 (d, J=16.3 Hz, 18H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 42.2 (d, J_(P-C)=25.4 Hz), 28.0 ppm. ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 202 MHz): δ 145.0 ppm.

[0097] Method C. In the dry box, a solution of 1.019 g (5.64 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂P—Cl in 100 mL of THF and 102 mg (5.64 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 1.0 g (5.64 mmol) of PdCl₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 6 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ146.6 (singlet, ca. 70%) and 122.7 (singlet, ca. 30%) resonances. After the resulting mixture was refluxed for another 18 h, the crude product was shown by its phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum to be a mixture of the title complex 2 and di-t-butylphosphinechloride palladium chloride dimer with a phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of δ 164.7 (singlet) as major components in approximately equal amounts.

Experiment 9 Preparation of Di-t-butylphosphinechloride palladium chloride dimer [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂

[0098] A solution of 3.0 g (10.5 mmol) of Pd(COD)Cl₂, 1.898 g (10.5 mmol) of (t-Bu)₂P—Cl and 200 mg (11.1 mmol) of H₂O in 100 mL of THF was boiled under reflux for 14 h. Examination of the reaction mixture by ¹H-coupled ³¹P NMR at this point revealed only a singlet at δ164.7(singlet) ppm. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was filtered, and the residue was washed with CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL). Solvents were removed by rotary evaporation, and the resulting residue was washed with hexane (8×50 mL), dried in vacuo gave 3.2 g of dark brown [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂. The crystallographic sample was obtained by slow recrystallization from a mixture of dichloromethane and hexane.

X-Ray Crystal Structure Analysis

[0099] CRYSTAL DATA: C8 H18 C13 P Pd, from dichloromethane/hexane, red/orange, wedge, ˜0.150×0.140×0.050 mm, orthorhombic , Pca21, a=14.8290(13) Å, b 11.9397(10) Å, c=14.7623(13) Å, Vol=2613.7(4) Å3, Z=8, T=−120.° C., Formula weight=357.94, Density 1.819mg/m3, μ(Mo)=2.11 mm-1.

[0100] DATA COLLECTION: Bruker SMART 1K CCD system, MoKalpha radiation, standard focus tube, anode power=50 kV×40 mA, crystal to plate distance=4.9 mm, 512×512 pixels/frame, hemisphere data aquisition , total scans=4, total frames=1330, oscillation/frame=−0.30°, exposure/frame=30.0 sec/frame, maximum detector swing angle=−28.0°, beam center=(254.93,252.33), in plane spot width=1.46, omega half width=0.81, SAINT integration, hkl min/max=(−19, 16, −15, 15, −19, 16), data input to shelx=16611, unique data=5405, two-theta range=3.42 to 56.58°, completeness to two-theta 56.58=98.20%, R(int-xl)=0.0216, SADABS correction applied.

[0101] SOLUTION AND REFINEMENT: Structure solved using XS(Shelxtl), refined using shelxtl software package, refinement by full-matrix least squares on F 2, scattering factors from Int. Tab. Vol C Tables 4.2.6.8 and 6.1.1.4, number of data=5405, number of restraints=1, number of parameters=247, data/parameter ratio=21.88, goodness-of-fit on F2=1.06, R indices[I>4sigma(I)] R1=0.0174, wR2=0.0448, R indices(all data) R1=0.0181, wR2=0.0452, max difference peak and hole=0.768 and −0.427 e/Å3, refined flack parameter=−0.005(16), All hydrogen atoms have been idealized as riding hydrogens. The rotation of the methyl groups are refined.

[0102] RESULTS: The asymmetric unit contains one molecule with thermal ellipsoids drawn to the 50% probability level. The generated structure is shown in FIG. 3.

Experiment 10 Preparation of [Bis-(di-phenylphosphinous acid)] palladium chloride dimer

[0103] Method A. In the dry box, a solution of 1.964 g (8.90 mmol) of Ph₂P—Cl in 100 mL of 1,4-dioxane and 180.0 mg (10.0 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 1.0 g (4.45 mmol) of Pd(OAc)₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 20 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 78.1 (˜70%), 30.2 [˜30% Ph₂P(O)H] resonances.

[0104] Method B. In the dry box, a solution of 13.1 g (56.4 mmol) of Ph₂P—Cl in 100 mL of THF and 1.2 g (66.7 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 5.0 g (28.2 mmol) of PdCl₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 15 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 78.6 (˜30%), 29.1 [˜70% Ph₂P(O)H] resonances.

Experiment 11 Preparation of Di-isopropylphosphine oxide (Me₂CH)₂PH(O)

[0105] Method A. In a dry box, a solution of 0.35 g (2.29 mmol) of (Me₂CH)₂P—Cl in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ was treated with 100 mg (5.5 mmol) of H₂O within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 10 min. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 65.7 resonance. The reaction mixture was dried under vacuum to afford 0.21 g (68% yield) of crude product.

[0106] Method B. A solution of 3.43 g (21.56 mmol) of (Me₂CH)₂P—Cl in 80 mL of hexane was treated with 835 mg (46.4 mmol) of H₂O within 5 min. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 65.7 resonance. The reaction mixture was dried under vacuum to afford 2.8 g (97% yield) of crude product.

Experiment 12 Preparation of Di-cyclohexylphosphine oxide Cy₂PH(O)

[0107] In a dry box, a solution of 0.42 g (1.80 mmol) of Cy₂P—Cl in 10 mL of CH₂Cl₂ was treated with 100 mg (5.5 mmol) of H₂O within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 10 min. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 59.7 resonance. The reaction mixture was dried under vacuum to afford 0.30 g (78% yield) of crude product.

Experiment 13 Preparation of (di-isopropylphosphinous acid) palladium dichloride dimer [(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂]₂

[0108] In a dry box, a solution of 1.0 g (6.29 mmol) of (Me₂CH)₂P—Cl in 35 mL of THF and 0.4 g (22.2 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 1.115 g (6.29 mmol) of PdCl₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 15 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 138.2 (˜70%), 117.8 {˜20%, [(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]₂} and 63.5 [˜10%, (Me₂CH)₂PH(O)] resonances. After solvents were removed by rotary evaporation, the residue was washed with hexane (10×15 mL), dried under vacuum to afford 1.4 g (72% yield) of yellowish solids with 31P NMR: δ142.5 ppm.

Experiment 14 Preparation of (di-cyclohexylphosphinous acid)palladium dichloride dimer [(Cy)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂]₂

[0109] In a dry box, a solution of 1.0 g (4.297 mmol) of Cy₂P—Cl in 10 mL of THF and 0.4 g (22.2 mmol) of H₂O was stirred at room temperature for 10 min, and 762 mg (4.297 mmol) of PdCl₂ was gradually added within 5 min. The resulting mixture was then removed from the dry box and refluxed for 16 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 133.1 resonance. After solvents were removed by rotary evaporation, the residue was washed with hexane (8×20 mL), dried under vacuum to afford 1.45 g (86% yield) of crude [(Cy)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂]₂.

Experiment 15 Synthesis of Di-tert-Butylphenylphosphine Oxide

[0110] A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 186 mg (0.20 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, 1.57 g (10.0 mmol) of bromobenzene, 1.62 g (10.0 mmol) of di-tert-butylphosphine oxide and 1.38 g (10.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 20.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 23 h to afford di-tert-butylphenylphosphine oxide. ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz): δ 51.9 ppm.

Experiment 16 Synthesis of Tri-phenylphosphine Oxide

[0111] A 20 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 93 mg (0.10 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, 0.314 g (2.0 mmol) of bromobenzene, 0.404 g (2.0 mmol) of di-phenylphosphine oxide and 0.276 g (2.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 5.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 8 h to afford tri-phenylphosphine oxide. ³¹P NMR (CDCl₃, 121 MHz): δ 30.3 ppm.

Experiment 17 Chiral Phosphine Oxide Ligands

[0112] Synthesis of Cy₂N—PCl₂: A mixture of 34.4 g (0.25 moles) of PCl₃ in 400 mL of hexane was treated with Cy₂NH (90.7 g, 0.50 moles) dropwise at ° C. for 30 min. The resulting white slurry was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 1 h, refluxed overnight before removal of Cy₂NH—HCl by filtration. The white solids were washed with hexane (2×100 mL). The combined filtrates were concentrated to give the crude Cy₂N—PCl₂ (54.0 g, 77% yield). ³¹P NMR (121 MHz, CD₂Cl₂): δ 171.3 (s) ppm.

[0113] Synthesis of (R, R) Cy₂N—P(2, 5-Me₂C₄H₆): A solution of 2.0 g (7.09 mm) of Cy₂N—PCl₂ in 150 mL of THF was treated dropwise with LiAlH₄ (7.1 mL of a 1.0 M solution in Et₂O) at room temperature for 10 min and then the resulting reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for an additional 2 h. The reaction process was monitored by ³¹P NMR which indicated only a singlet at δ −69.2 ppm. The THF solvent was removed under vacuum, and the residue was extracted with 3×50 mL of hexane. After addition of 100 mL of THF to the extracts, 5.6 mmol (3.5 mL of 1.6 M solution in hexane) of n-BuLi was added to the solution above dropwise. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h before 1.0 g (5.55 mmol ) of (2S, 5S)-2,5-hexanediol cyclic sulfate in 10 mL of THF was added to the mixture dropwise. After the solution was stirred for 1.5 h, n-BuLi (3.8 mL of a 1.6 M hexane solution, 1.1 eq) was again added dropwise via syringe. The resulting reaction mixture was allowed to stirr overnight at room temperature before 3.0 mL of MeOH was added to quench excess n-BuLi remaining. After removal of solvent, the solid residue was extracted with hexane (4×60 mL), Concentration of the filtrate affords a crude product. MS: 312.2 [M(O)⁺+H].

[0114] Synthesis of (R, R)(2, 5-Me₂C₄H₆)PH(O): A solution of 1.0 g (3.39 mmol) of of (R, R) Cy₂N—P(2, 5—Me₂C₄H₆) and 10 mL of HCl-ether solution (1.0 M in Et₂O) was stirred at room temperature for 2 h to afford a crude title compound.

[0115] Synthesis of (R, R)(2, 5—(Me₂CH)₂C₄H₆)PH(O): A suspension of polymer-bound N(t-Bu)PCl₂ (˜20 g, ˜17.8 mmol) and LiAlH₄ (100 mL, 100 mmol, 1.0 M solution in Et₂O) in 200 mL of THF was stirred at room temperature for 2 h before the solvents and excess reagent were filtered off. The resulting resin was washed with THF (3×100 mL) and hexane (3×100 mL) before n-BuLi (64 mmol, 1.6 M solution in hexane) was added. The suspension was stirred at room temperature over 3 h before the excess reagent and solvent were filtered off. The resulting resin was washed with THF (3×50 mL) and hexane (2×100 mL). The resin above and 3.1 g of (2S, 5S)-2,5-(i-Pr)₂C₄H₆SO₄ (cyclic sulfate) in 300 mL of THF were stirred at room temperature overnight before n-BuLi (20.0 mmol, 1.6 M solution in hexane) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h, and the solvents and excess reagents were filtered off. The resulting resin was washed with THF (2×150 mL), hexane (2×150 mL) and CH₂Cl₂ (2×100 mL). The resin above and HCl-ether solution were stirred at room temperature to afford a crude title compound.

EXAMPLES A. Reactions of Amines with Aryl Halides EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of 1-phenylpiperidine

[0116] Method A. In a drybox, 14.4 mg (0.087 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2, 20.0 mg (0.0218 mmol) of Pd₂(dba)₃ (dba=bis(dibenzylideneacetone)) and 4.0 mL of toluene were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Next, 144 mg (1.5 mmol) of NaOtBu was added into the mixture above, followed by syringing 122 μl (1.2 mmol) of PhCl, and 100 μl (1.0 mmol) of piperidine into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 5 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 82 mg (51% yield) of N-phenylpiperidine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.15 (m, 2H), 6.84 (m, 2H), 6.72 (m, 1H), 3.06 (t, J=5.48 Hz, 4H), 1.61 (m, 4H), 1.48 (m, 2H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): d 152.3, 129.0, 119.2, 116.5, 50.7, 25.9, 24.4 3 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₁₁H₁₅N(M⁺): 161.3. Found: 162.3 (M⁺+H).

[0117] Method B. A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 340 mg (0.50 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂ (from Experiment 8), 1.12 g (10.0 mmol) of chlorobenzene, 1.02 g (12.0 mmol) of piperidine and 1.35 g (14.0 mmol) of NaO(t-Bu) in 20.0 mL of toluene. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 16 h before the reaction was cooled to room temperature and quenched with 50 mL of H₂O. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×30 mL), brine (30 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel with hexane/ethyl acetate (50:1 volume ratio). The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 700 mg (43% yield) of 1-phenylpiperidine.

[0118] Method C. A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 35 mg (0.05 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂ (from Experiment 8), 1.57 g (10.0 mmol) of bromobenzene, 1.02 g (12.0 mmol) of piperidine and 1.35 g (14.0 mmol) of NaO(t-Bu) in 20.0 mL of toluene. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 5 h before the reaction was cooled to room temperature and quenched with 50 mL of H₂O. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×30 mL), brine (30 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel with hexane/ethyl acetate (50:1 volume ratio). The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 670 mg (42% yield) of 1-phenylpiperidine.

[0119] Method D. In the drybox, 20.0 mg (0.087 mmol) of (Me₂CH)PH(O)(2,4—(MeO)₂C₆H₃) from Experiment 3, 20.0 mg (0.0218 mmol) of Pd₂(dba)₃ and 3.0 mL of dioxane were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min. Next, 144 mg (1.5 mmol) of NaOtBu was added into the mixture above, followed by syringing 122 μl (1.2 mmol) of PhCl, and 100 μl (1.0 mmol) of piperidine into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 8 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 59 mg (37% yield) of 1-phenylpiperidine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.15 (m, 2H), 6.84 (m, 2H), 6.72 (m, 1H), 3.06 (t, J=5.48 Hz, 4H), 1.61 (m, 4H), 1.48 (m, 2H) ppm. ¹3C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 152.3, 129.0, 119.2, 116.5, 50.7, 25.9, 24.4 3 ppm. MS: Calcd for C₁₁H₁₅N(M⁺): 161.3. Found: 162.3(M⁺+H).

EXAMPLE 2

[0120] The general procedure from Example 1A was followed using 4-chloro-benzotrifluoride (650 mg, 3.6 mmol) and piperidine (258 mg, 3.0 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (55 mg, 0.081 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (21.0 mg, 0.126 mmol) and NaOtBu (432 mg, 4.5 mmol) in 6.0 mL of toluene. After 48 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 161 mg (23% yield) of 4-piperidinobenzotrifluoride. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.36 (d, J=8.78 Hz, 2H), 6.82 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 2H), 3.18 (m, 4H), 1.60 (m, 4H), 1.54 (m, 2H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): d 153.7, 127.6, 126.3, 114.5, 49.2, 25.4, 24.2 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₁₂H₁₄F₃N(M⁺): 229.1. Found: 230.2 (M⁺+H).

EXAMPLE 3

[0121] The general procedure from Example 1A was followed using chlorobenzene (135 mg, 1.2 mmol) and aniline (93 mg, 1.0 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (25 mg, 0.027 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (7.0 mg, 0.042 mmol) and NaOtBu (144 mg, 1.5 mmol) in 2.0 mL of toluene. After 24 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 51 mg (30% yield) of diphenylamine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.18 (m, 4H), 6.99 (d, J=7.68 Hz, 4H), 6.84 (t, J=7.34 Hz, 2H), 5.59 (br, 1H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): d 143.1, 129.3, 120.9, 117.8 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₁₂H₁₁N(M⁺): 169.1. Found: 170.3 (M⁺+H).

EXAMPLE 4

[0122] The general procedure from Example 1A was followed using 4-methyl-chlorobenzene (152 mg, 1.2 mmol) and piperidine (100 μl, 1.0 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (20 mg, 0.0218 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (14.5 mg, 0.0878 mmol) and NaOtBu (144 mg, 1.5 mmol) in 3.0 mL of toluene. After 12 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 106 mg (δ1% yield) of N-(4-methylphenyl)piperidine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.92 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.72 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 2.95 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 4H), 2.13 (s, 3H), 1.58 (m, 4H),1.43 (m, 2H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 150.3, 129.5, 128.6, 116.9, 51.2, 25.9, 24.3, 20.3 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₁₂H₁₇N(M⁺): 175.1. Found: 176.1 (M⁺+H).

EXAMPLE 5

[0123] The general procedure from Example 1A was followed using PhCl (122 μ, 1.2 mmol) and p-toluidine (108 mg, 1.0 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (20 mg, 0.0218 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (14.5 mg, 0.0878 mmol) and NaOtBu (144 mg, 1.5 mmol) in 3.0 mL of toluene. After 12 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 80 mg (44% yield) of N-phenyl-p-toluidine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.13 (t, J=7.91 Hz, 2H), 6.98 (m, 2H), 6.89 (m, 4H), 6.78 (t, J=7.32 Hz, 1H), 5.46 (s, br. 1H), 2.20 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): d 143.9, 140.3, 130.8, 129.8, 129.2, 120.2, 118.9, 116.8, 20.6 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₁₃H₁₃N(M⁺): 183.3. Found: 184.1 (M⁺+H).

EXAMPLE 6

[0124] The general procedure from Example 1A was followed using 4-chloroanisole (171 mg, 1.2 mmol) and piperidine (100 μl, 1.0 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (20 mg, 0.0218 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (14.5 mg, 0.0878 mmol) and NaOtBu (144 mg, 1.5 mmol) in 4.0 mL of toluene. After 12 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 128 mg (67% yield) of N-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperidine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.81 (d, J=9.11 Hz, 2H), 6.72 (d, J=9.11 Hz, 2H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 2.92 (t, J=5.46 Hz, 4H), 1.60 (m, 4H), 1.46 (m, 2H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 153.5, 146.8, 118.6, 114.3, 55.4, 52.2, 26.1, 24.1 ppm.

EXAMPLE 7

[0125] The general procedure from Example 1A was followed using chlorobenzene (135 mg, 1.2 mmol) and piperidine (86 mg, 1.0 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (20 mg, 0.0218 mmol) and (Me₂CH)PH(O)(Ph) from Experiment 1, (7.1 mg, 0.0424 mmol) and NaOtBu (144 mg, 1.5 mmol) in 2.0 mL of 1,2-dimethoxyethane. After 5 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 17 mg (11% yield) of 4-phenylpiperidine. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.15 (m, 2H), 6.84 (m, 2H), 6.72 (m, 1H), 3.06 (t, J=5.48 Hz, 4H), 1.61 (m, 4H), 1.48 (m, 2H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 152.3, 129.0, 119.2, 116.5, 50.7, 25.9,24.4 3 ppm. MS: Calculated for C₁₁H₁₅N(M⁺): 161.3. Found: 162.3 (M⁺+H). TABLE 1 Example Phosphine oxide Aryl compound Amine Product Yield 1A (Me₃C)₂PH(O) chlorobenzene piperidine 1-phenylpiperidine 51% 1B {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ chlorobenzene piperidine 1-phenylpiperidine 43% 1C {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂ chlorobenzene piperidine 1-phenylpiperidine 42% 1D (Me₂CH)PH(O)(Ph) chlorobenzene piperidine 1-phenylpiperidine 11% 2 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 4-chlorobenzotriflouride piperidine 4-piperidinobenzotriflouride 23% 3 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) chlorobenzene aniline diphenylamine 30% 4 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 4-methylchlorobenzene piperidine N-(4-methylphenyl)piperidine 61% 5 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) chlorobenzene p-toluidine N-phenyl-p-toluidine 44% 6 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 4-chloroanisole piperidine N-(4-methylphenyl)piperidine 67% 7 (Me₂CH)PH(O)(2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃) chlorobenzene piperidine 1-phenylpiperidine 37%

B. Reactions of Arylboronic Acids with Aryl Halides EXAMPLE 8

[0126] In the drybox, 14.4 mg (0.087 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2, 20.0 mg (0.0218 mmol) of Pd₂(dba)₃ and 4.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Next, 651 mg (2.0 mmol) of CSCO₃ and 146.3 mg (1.2 mm) of PhB(OH)₂ were added into the mixture above, followed by syringing 122 μl (1.2 mmol) of PhCl into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 24 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 163 mg (88% yield) of biphenyl. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.77 (d, J=7.75 Hz, 4H), 7.60 (t, J=7.65 Hz, 4H), 7.50 (t, J=7.38 Hz, 2H).ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 141.2, 128.7, 127.2, 127.1 ppm.

EXAMPLE 9

[0127] Method A. The general procedure from Example 8 was followed using 4-methylchlorobenzene (152 mg, 1.2 mmol) and PhB(OH)₂ (1.2 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (20 mg, 0.0218 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2 (14.5 mg, 0.0878 mmol) and CsCO₃ (651 mg, 2.0 mmol) in 4.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. After 24 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 127 mg (63% yield) of 4-phenyltoluene. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.74 (d, J=7.50 Hz, 2H), 7.65 (d, J=8.05 Hz, 2H), 7.57 (m, 2H), 7.47 (m, 1H), 7.40 (m, 2H), 2.54 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 141.1, 138.3, 136.9, 129.4, 128.6, 126.9, 126.8, 21.0 ppm.

[0128] Method B. The general procedure above was followed using 4-methylchlorobenzene (127 mg, 1.0 mmol) and PhB(OH)₂ (183 mg, 1.5 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (20 mg, 0.0218 mmol) and PhPH(O)(CHMe₂) from Experiment 1 (14.7 mg, 0.0874 mmol) and CsF (456 mg, 3.0 mmol) in 4.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. After 12 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 52 mg (31% yield) of 4-phenyltoluene. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS.

EXAMPLE 10

[0129] In the drybox, 9.6 mg (0.058 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2, 13.3 mg (0.0145 mmol) of Pd₂(dba)₃ and 3.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Next, 143.0 mg (1.0 mm) of 4-chloroanisole, 182.9 mg (1.5 mm) of PhB(OH)₂ and 456 mg (3.0 mmol) of CsF were added into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 24 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 179 mg (97% yield) of 4-phenylanisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.45 (m, 4H), 7.32 (m, 2H), 7.21 (m, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=8.72 Hz, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 159.2, 140.8, 133.8, 128.7, 128.1, 126.7, 126.6, 114.2, 55.3 ppm.

EXAMPLE 11

[0130] The general procedure from Example 12 was followed using 2-chloro-anisole (143 mg, 1.0 mmol) and 4—MeC₆H₄B(OH)₂ (204 mg, 1.5 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (13.3 mg, 0.0145 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2 (9.6 mg, 0.058 mmol) and CsF (456 mg, 3.0 mmol) in 4.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. After 24 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 165 mg (83% yield) of 2-(4-methylphenyl)anisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.32 (d, J=8.06 Hz, 2H), 7.18 (m, 2H), 7.10 (d, J=7.88 Hz, 2H), 6.92-6.84 (m, 2H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.28 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 156.5, 136.5, 135.6, 130.7, 129.4, 128.7, 128.3, 120.8, 111.2, 55.5, 21.1 ppm.

EXAMPLE 12

[0131] Method A. The general procedure from Example 12 was followed using 4-chloroanisole (143 mg, 1.0 mmol) and 4—MeOC₆H₄B(OH)₂ (228 mg, 1.5 mmol) with Pd₂(dba)₃ (13.3 mg, 0.0145 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2 (9.6 mg, 0.058 mmol) and CsF (456 mg, 3.0 mmol) in 3.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. After 24 h, the reaction mixture was chromatographed with 5% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 213 mg (99% yield) of 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)anisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.38 (d, J=8.68 Hz, 4H), 6.86 (d, J=8.68 Hz, 4H), 3.74 (s, 6H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 158.7, 133.5, 127.7, 114.2, 55.3 ppm.

[0132] Method B. In the drybox, 20.0 mg (0.0876 mmol) of (Me₂CH)PH(O)(2,4—(MeO)₂C₆H₃) from Experiment 3, 20 mg (0.0218 mm) of Pd₂(dba)₃ and 5.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Next, 143.0 mg (1.0 mm) of 4-chloroanisole, 228 mg (1.5 mm) of 4—MeOC₆H₄B(OH)₂ and 456 mg (3.0 mmol) of CsF were added into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 60 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 213 mg (99% yield) of p-(4-methoxyphenyl)anisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.38 (d, J=8.68 Hz, 4H), 6.86 (d, J=8.68 Hz, 4H), 3.74 (s, 6H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 158.7, 133.5, 127.7, 114.2, 55.3 ppm. Anal Calcd for C₁₄H₁₄O₂: C, 78.48; H, 6.59. Found: C, 78.44; H, 6.53. TABLE 2 Example Phosphine oxide Aryl compound Acid Product Yield  8 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) chlorobenzene PhB(OH)₂ biphenyl 88%  9A (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 4-methylchlorobenzene PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenyltoluene 63%  9B PhPH(O)(CHMe₂) 4-methylchlorobenzene PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenyltoluene 31% 10 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 4-chloroanisole PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenylanisole 97% 11 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 2-chloroanisole 4-MeC₆H₄B(OH)₂ 2-(4-methylphenyl)- 83% anisole 12A (Me₃C)₂PH(O) 4-chloroanisole 4-MeOC₆H₄B(OH)₂ 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)- 99% anisole 12B (Me₂CH)PH(O)(2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃) 4-chloroanisole 4-MeOC₆H₄B(OH)₂ 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)- 99% anisole

EXAMPLE 13

[0133] Synthesis of 2-phenylanisole

[0134] Method A. In the drybox, 110 mg (0.609 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂P—Cl, 67 mg (0.299 mmol) of Pd(OAc)₂ and 3.0 mL of CH₂Cl₂ were loaded into a reactor (10 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h before 60 mg (3.3 mmol) of H₂O was added. The mixture above was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. After removal of solvent and excess H₂O, the residue was dissolved in 15.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane, and transferred into a reactor (100 mL). Next, 2-chloroanisole (1.43 g, 10.0 mm), C₆H₅B(OH)₂ (1.83 g, 15.0 mm) and CsF (4.56 mg, 30.0 mmol) were added into the mixture above. After the mixture was refluxed for 42 h, the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, quenched with 50 mL of H₂O, and extracted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The organic extracts were washed with H₂O (2×50 mL), brine (50 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.81 g (98% yield) of 2-phenylanisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.85 (d, J=7.05 Hz, 2H), 7.67 (m, 2H), 7.60 (m, 3H), 7.32 (m, ¹H), 7.22 (m, ¹H), 4.01 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 156.4, 138.5, 130.7, 130.6, 129.4, 128.5, 127.8, 126.7, 120.7, 111.2, 55.3 ppm. HRMS Calcd for C₁₃H₁₂O: 185.0966. Found 185.0965. Anal. Calcd for C₁₃H₁₂O: C, 84.75; H, 6.57; O, 8.68. Found: C, 84.62; H, 6.65; O, 8.58.

[0135] Method B. A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 147.0 mg (0.89 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O), 100 mg (0.445 mm) of Pd(OAc)₂ and 10 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was then heated to a gentle reflux for 18 h. Next, 1.43 g (10.0 mm) of 2-chloroanisole, 1.83 g (15.0 mm) of PhB(OH)₂ and 4.56 g (30.0 mm) of CsF were added into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 24 h.

[0136] The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, quenched with 50 mL of H₂O, and extracted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The organic extracts were washed with H₂O (2×50 mL), brine (50 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.74 g (94% yield) of 2-phenylanisole. It was >95% pure by IH NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.85 (d, J=7.05 Hz, 2H), 7.67 (m, 2H), 7.60 (m, 3H), 7.32 (m, ¹H), 7.22 (m, ¹H), 4.01 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 156.4, 138.5, 130.7, 130.6, 129.4, 128.5, 127.8, 126.7, 120.7, 111.2, 55.3 ppm. HRMS Calcd for C₁₃H₁₂O: 185.0966. Found 185.0965. Anal. Calcd for C₁₃H₁₂O: C, 84.75; H, 6.57; O, 8.68. Found: C, 84.62; H, 6.65; O, 8.58.

[0137] Method C. A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 150 mg (0.161 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 7), 1.43 g (10.0 mmol) of 2-chloroanisole, 1.83 g (15.0 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 4.56 g (30.0 mmol) of CsF in 30.0 mL of dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 12 h until the starting material was completely consumed as judged by TLC. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using 2% EtOAc/hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.66 g (90% yield) of 2-phenylanisole.

EXAMPLE 14 Synthesis of 3-phenylanisole

[0138] Method A. The procedure from Example above was followed using 110 mg (0.609 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂P—Cl, 67 mg (0.299 mmol) of Pd(OAc)₂, 60 mg (3.3 mmol) of H₂O, and 3-chloroanisole (1.43 g, 10.0 mm), C₆H₅B(OH)₂ (1.83 g, 15.0 mm) and CsF (4.56 mg, 30.0 mmol) in 15 mL of 1,4-dioxane. After the mixture was refluxed for 42 h, the reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, quenched with 50 mL of H₂O, and extracted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The organic extracts were washed with H₂O (2×50 mL), brine (50 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.49 g (81% yield) of 3-phenylanisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS.

[0139] Method B. A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 150 mg (0.161 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 7), 1.43 g (10.0 mmol) of 3-chloroanisole, 1.83 g (15.0 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 4.56 g (30.0 mmol) of CsF in 30.0 mL of DME. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 12 h until the starting material was completely consumed as judged by TLC. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using 2% EtOAc/hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.73 g (94% yield) of 3-phenylanisole.

EXAMPLE 15 Synthesis of 4-phenyltoluene

[0140] Method A. In the drybox, 1100 mg (6.09 mm) of (Me₃C)₂P—Cl, 670 mg (2.98 mmol) of Pd(OAc)₂ and 100 mL of 1,4-dioxane were loaded into a round-bottomed flask (250 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min before the flask was removed from the glove box. The mixture was refluxed under open-to-air condition. The progress of the reaction was monitored by phosphorus-31 NMR spectroscopy. After 2 h, approximately 95% of the reaction had proceeded. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture showed only the δ123.0 (singlet) resonance, and no unchanged (Me₃C)₂P—Cl. The reaction mixture was therefore cooled to room temperature and 600 mg (33.3 mmol) of H₂O was added. The mixture above was refluxed for a further 15 min. Next, 12.659 g (100.0 mm) of 4-chlorotoluene, 13.41 g (110.0 mm) of PhB(OH)₂ and 22.785 g (150.0 mm) of CsF were added into the mixture above. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, quenched with 200 mL of H₂O, and extracted with diethyl ether (2×300 mL). The organic extracts were washed with H₂O (2×250 mL), brine (250 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 4-phenyltoluene.

[0141] Method B. A 500 mL of round-bottomed flask equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 1.00 g (6.06 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O), 670 mg (2.98 mm) of Pd(OAc)₂ and 100 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was then heated to a gentle reflux under open-to-air condition for 2 h. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture showed only the δ123.0 (singlet) resonance, and no unchanged (Me₃C)₂PH(O). Next, 112.659 g (100.0 mm) of 4-chlorotoluene, 113.41 g (110.0 mm) of PhB(OH)₂ and 22.785 g (150 mm) of CsF were added into the flask. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 18 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, quenched with 200 mL of H₂O, and extracted with diethyl ether (2×300 mL). The organic extracts were washed with H₂O (2×250 mL), brine (250 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 4-phenyltoluene.

[0142] Method C. A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 102 mg (0.15 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂ (from Experiment 7), 1.13 g (10.0 mmol) of chlorobenzene, 2.04 g (15.0 mmol) of MeC₆H₄B(OH)₂ and 4.56 g (30.0 mmol) of CsF in 30.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 15 h until the starting material was completely consumed as judged by TLC. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of hexane. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the hexane and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.58 g (94% yield) of 4-phenyltoluene.

EXAMPLE 16 Synthesis of 4-phenylanisole

[0143] A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 140 mg (0.15 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 7), 1.43 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-chloroanisole, 1.83 g (15.0 mmol) of PhB(OH)2 and 4.56 g (30.0 mmol) of CsF in 30.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 8 h until the starting material was completely consumed as judged by GC. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of diethyl ether and 100 mL of H₂O. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using 2% EtOAc/hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 0.97 g (53% yield) of 4-phenylanisole.

EXAMPLE 17 Synthesis of 4, 4′-dimethylbiphenyl

[0144] A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 102 mg (0.15 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂ (from Experiment 7), 1.27 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-chlorotoluene, 2.04 g (15.0 mmol) of MeC₆H₄B(OH)₂ and 4.56 g (30.0 mmol) of CsF in 30.0 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 20 h until the starting material was completely consumed as judged by TLC. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of hexane. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the hexane and dioxane removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.2 g (66% yield) of the title compound.

EXAMPLE 18 Synthesis of biphenyl

[0145] Method A. A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 3.39 mg (0.00499 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂ (from Experiment 7), 1.57 g (10.0 mmol) of bromobenzene, 1.46 g (12.0 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 1.66 g (12.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 7.0 mL of THF and 2.0 mL of H₂O. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 h. The reaction was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of hexane and 50 mL of H₂O. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the hexane and THF removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.0 g (65% yield) of biphenyl.

[0146] Method B. A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 83.4 mg (0.303 mmol) of Ni(COD)₂, 50.0 mg (0.308 mmol) of (t-Bu)₂PH(O), 1.13 g (10.0 mmol) of Ph-Cl, 1.83 g (15.0 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 4.56 g (30.0 mmol) of CsF in 15 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 20 h. The reaction was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of hexane and 50 mL of H₂O. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the hexane and THF removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 0.402 g (26% yield) of biphenyl.

EXAMPLE 19 Synthesis of 4-phenylthioanisole

[0147] A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 140 mg (0.15 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 7), 2.03 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-bromothioanisole, 1.83 g (15.0 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 4.16 g (30.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 13 mL of DME and 7 mL of H₂O. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 12 h until the starting material was completely consumed as judged by TLC. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of hexane and 100 mL of H₂O. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and solvents removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residue was chromatographed on silicon gel using hexane as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to give 1.90 g (95% yield) of 4-phenylthioanisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.47-7.39 (m, 5H), 7.31 (m, 2H), 7.22 (m, 2H), 2.39 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 140.5, 138.0, 137.6, 128.8, 127.4, 127.1, 126.9, 126.8 ppm.

EXAMPLE 20 Synthesis of benzophenone

[0148] Method A. A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 56.0 mg (0.06 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 7), 314 mg (2.0 mmol) of bromobenzene, 268.0 mg (2.2 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 830 mg (6.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 12 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The reaction mixture was flushed with CO (1 atm) and stirred. After the reaction was heated to 80° C. for 4 h under CO (1 atm), the reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 100 mL of benzene, washed with H₂O (2×30 mL), and dried over mgSO₄. GC analysis revealed the formation of a mixture of PhBr (41%), Ph-Ph (14%), and Ph-CO-Ph (45%).

[0149] Method B A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 56.0 mg (0.06 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, 226 mg (2.0 mmol) of chlorobenzene, 268.0 mg (2.2 mmol) of PhB(OH)₂ and 830 mg (6.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 12 mL of 1,4-dioxane. The reaction mixture was flushed with CO (1 atm) and stirred. After the reaction was heated to 80° C. for 4 h under CO (1 atm), the reaction was cooled to room temperature, transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 100 mL of benzene, washed with H₂O (2×30 mL), and dried over mgSO₄. GC analysis revealed the formation of a mixture of PhBr (14%), Ph-Ph (19%), and Ph-CO-Ph (68%). TABLE 3 Example Catalyst Aryl compound Acid Product Yield 13A (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (in situ) + Pd(OAc)₂ 2-chloroanisole C₆H₅B(OH)₂ 2-phenylanisole 98% 13B (Me₃C)₂PH(O) + Pd(OAc)₂ 2-chloroanisole C₆H₅B(OH)₂ 2-phenylanisole 94% 13C {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ 2-chloroanisole PhB(OH)₂ 2-phenylanisole 90% 14A (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (in situ) + Pd(OAc)₂ 3-chloroanisole C₆H₅B(OH)₂ 3-phenylanisole 81% 14B {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ 3-chloroanisole PhB(OH)₂ 3-phenylanisole 94% 15A (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (in situ) + Pd(OAc)₂ 4-chlorotuluene PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenyltoluene n.a. 15B (Me₃C)₂PH(O) + Pd(OAc)₂ 4-chlorotuluene PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenyltoluene n.a. 15C {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl₂}₂ chlorobenzene MeC_(6H) ₄B(OH)₂ 4-phenyltoluene 94% 16 {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ 4-chloroanisole PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenylanisole 53% 17 {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl₂}₂ 4-chlorotuluene MeC_(6H) ₄B(OH)₂ 4,4′-dimethybiphenyl 66% 18A {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl₂}₂ bromobenzene PhB(OH)₂ biphenyl 65% 18B (Me₃C)₂PH(O) + Ni(COD)₂ chlorobenzene PhB(OH)₂ biphenyl 26% 19 {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl₂}₂ 4-bromothioanisole PhB(OH)₂ 4-phenylthioanisole 95% 20A {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl₂}₂ bromobenzene PhB(OH)₂ benzophenone 45% 20B {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl₂}₂ chlorobenzene PhB(OH)₂ benzophenone 68%

EXAMPLE 21

[0150] In a drybox, 50 mg (0.303 mmol) of (Me₃C)₂PH(O) from Experiment 2, 83.4 mg (0.303 mmol) of Ni(COD)₂ (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene) and 5.0 mL of THF were loaded into a reactor (100 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature over 10 min. Next, 1.43 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-chloroanisole was added into the mixture above, followed by adding 15 mL (15.0 mmol, 1.0 M solution in THF) of o-tolylmagnesium chloride, and 15 mL of THF into the reactor. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. before the reaction mixture was quenched with 10 mL of H₂O. The mixture above was extracted with 3×50 mL of diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts were dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and THF removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residues were chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 1.85 g (93% yield) of 4-o-tolylanisole. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.47-7.19 (m, 8H), 4.03 (s, 3H), 2.53 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 158.5, 141.5, 135.3, 134.3, 130.2, 130.1, 129.8, 126.8, 125.7, 113.4, 55.0, 20.4. ppm.

EXAMPLE 22

[0151] The general procedure from Example 13 was followed using chlorobenzene (1.126 g, 10.0 mmol) and o-tolylmagnesium chloride (15 mL, 15.0 mmol) with Ni(COD)₂ (83.4 mg, 0.303 mmol) and (Me₃C)₂PH(O) (50.0 mg, 0.303 mmol) in 20.0 mL of THF. After 15 h at room temperature, the reaction mixture was quenched with 10 mL of H₂O. The mixture above was extracted with 3×50 mL of diethyl ether. The combined ether extracts were dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the ether and THF removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The resulting residues were chromatographed on silicon gel using ethyl acetate/hexane (5% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 1.62 g (96% yield) of 2-phenyltoluene. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.62-7.47 (m, 9H), 2.50 (s, 3H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 142.0, 141.9, 135.2, 130.3, 129.7, 129.1, 128.0, 127.2, 126.7, 125.7, 20.4. ppm.

EXAMPLE 23 Synthesis of 2-phenyltoluene

[0152] In the drybox, 54.0 mg (0.303 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(S) (from Experiment 18), 83.4 mg (0.303 mm) of Ni(COD)₂ and 10.0 mL of THF were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureover a period of 10 min. After addition of 1.126 g (10.0 mm) of chlorobenzene, the resulting mixture was stirred for 5 min until the catalytic reaction was initiated by dropwise addition of 15 mL (15.0 mm, 1.0 M in THF) of o-tolylmagnesium chloride at room temperature over a period of 5 min. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature over 12 h before the reaction was quenched with 10.0 mL of H₂O, and the mixture was diluted with 300 mL of Et₂O. After separation of organic and aqueous phases, the organic phase was washed with 2×100 mL of H₂O, and 100 mL of brine, then dried over mgSO₄, filtered and concentrated by rotary evaporation. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (100:1-hexane:methyl t-butyl ether) to afford 0.96 g (57% yield) of 2-phenyltoluene.

EXAMPLE 24 Synthesis of 4-(2-tolyl)anisole

[0153] In the drybox, 54.0 mg (0.303 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(S) (from Experiment 18), 83.4 mg (0.303 mm) of Ni(COD)₂ and 10.0 mL of THF were loaded into a reactor (20 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperatureover a period of 10 min. After addition of 1.43 g (10.0 mm) of 4-chloroanisol, the resulting mixture was stirred for 5 min until the catalytic reaction was initiated by dropwise addition of 15 mL (15.0 mm, 1.0 M in THF) of o-tolylmagnesium chloride at room temperature over a period of 5 min. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature over 12 h before the reaction was quenched with 10.0 mL of H₂O, and the mixture was diluted with 300 mL of Et₂O. After separation of organic and aqueous phases, the organic phase was washed with 2×100 mL of H₂O, and 100 mL of brine, then dried over mgSO₄, filtered and concentrated by rotary evaporation. The crude product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (100:1-hexane:methyl t-butyl ether) to afford 0.90 g (45% yield) of 4-(o-tolyl)anisole.

EXAMPLE 25 Synthesis of t-butyl phenyl sulfide

[0154] In the drybox, 133.7 mg (0.75 mm) of (Me₃C)₂PH(S), 170.0 mg (0.75 mm) of Pd(OAc)₂ and 10.0 mL of DMSO were loaded into a reactor (50 mL) equipped with a magnetic stir bar. The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. Next, 2.0 g (17.7 mm) of chlorobenzene, 1.35 g (15.0 mm) of t-butylthiol, and 2.16 g (22.5 mm) of NaO—tBu were added into the reactor. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 12 h. The reaction mixture was then cooled to room temperature, chromatographed on silicon gel using t-butylmethylether/hexane (1% volume ratio) as eluant. The eluate was concentrated by rotary evaporation followed by high vacuum to yield 812 mg (33% yield) of t-butyl phenyl sulfide. It was >95% pure by ¹H NMR and GC/MS. ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.4-7.2 (m, 5H), 1.17 (s, 9H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (125 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 137.4, 132.7, 128.5, 128.3, 45.6, 30.9 ppm. HRMS: Calcd for C₁₀H₁₅S(M⁺+H): 167.0894. Found: 167.0888.

EXAMPLE 26 Synthesis of diphenyl sulfide

[0155] A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 252 mg (0.27 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, 2.90 g (18.47 mmol) of bromobenzene, 1.98 g (18.0 mmol) of PhSH and 3.46 g (36.0 mmol) of NaO—tBu in 20.0 mL of toluene. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 15 h before the mixture was cooled to room temperature and quenched with 100 mL of H₂O. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and extracted with EtOAc (2×200 mL). The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (100 mL), brine (150 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the solvents removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The product was isolated by distillation. The final product was obtained as a colorless oil (2.24 g, 66% yield).

EXAMPLE 27 Synthesis of Diphenyl-p-tolylphosphine

[0156] A 100 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 140 mg (0.15 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, 1.27 g (10.0 mmol) of 4-chlorotoluene, and 10.0 mmol of KPPh₂ in 30.0 mL of THF. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 17 h before the reaction was cooled to room temperature, quenched with with 20 mL of H₂O. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 32.1 [˜10%, Ph₂PH(O)] and −5.0 (˜90%, MeC₆H₄-PPh₂) resonances.

EXAMPLE 28 Synthesis of Di-tert-Butylphenylphosphine Oxide

[0157] Method A. A 20 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 186.0 mg (0.20 mmol) of {[(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 13), 1.57 g (10.0 mmol) of bromobenzene, 1.62 g (10.0 mmol) of (t-Bu)2P(H)O and 1.38 g (10.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 20.0 mL of dioxane. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 24 h before the reaction was cooled to room temperature, quenched with with 5.0 mL of H₂O. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 53.2 resonances.

[0158] Method B. A 20 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 467.0 mg (0.50 mmol) of {[(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ (from Experiment 13), 1.57 g (10.0 mmol) of chlorobenzene, 1.95 g (12.0 mmol) of (t-Bu)2P(H)O and 2.76 g (20.0 mmol) of K₂CO₃ in 20.0 mL of THF. The resulting mixture was refluxed for 15 h before the reaction was cooled to room temperature, quenched with with 5.0 mL of H₂O. The phosphorus-31 NMR spectrum of the reaction mixture at this point showed the δ 65.1 (˜80%) and 51.1 (˜15%, Ph(t-Bu)₂P(O)) resonances. TABLE 4 Ex. Catalyst Aryl compound Acid Product Yield 21 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) + Ni(COD)₂ 4-chloroanisole o-tolylmagnesium 4-o-tolylanisole 93% chloride 22 (Me₃C)₂PH(O) + Ni(COD)₂ chlorobenzene o-tolylmagnesium 2-phenyltoluene 96% chloride 23 (Me₃C)₂PH(S) + Ni(COD)₂ chlorobenzene o-tolylmagnesium 2-phenyltoluene 57% chloride 24 (Me₃C)₂PH(S) + Ni(COD)₂ 4-chloroanisole o-tolylmagnesium 4-(o-tolyl)anisole 45% chloride 25 (Me₃C)₂PH(S) + Pd(OAc)₂ chlorobenzene t-butylthiol t-butyl phenyl sulfide 33% 26 {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ bromobenzene phenylthiol diphenylsulfide 66% 27 {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ 4-chlorotoluene KPPh₂ MeC₆H₄-PPh₂ n.a. 28A {[(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ 2-chloroanisole KPPh₂ Ph₂PH n.a. 28B {[(Me₂CH)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂ 2-chloroanisole KPPh₂ Ph₂PH n.a.

EXAMPLE 29 Synthesis of 2-Propenoic acid, 3-[4-acetylphenyl]-t-butylester

[0159] A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 468 mg (0.50 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, 4-chloroacetophenone (2.58 g, 16.7 mmol), anhydrous tetrabutylammonium bromide (1.07 g, 3.33 mmol) and anhydrous sodium acetate (1.51 g, 18.4 mmol), t-butylacrylate (2.99 g, 23.3 mmol) in 10 mL of DMF. The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred and heated to 135-140° C. for 24 h before the mixture was cooled to room temperature and quenched with 25 mL of H₂O. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of diethyl ether. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the solvents removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The product was isolated by bulb-to-bulb distillation. The final product was obtained as a colorless solid (2.73 g, 66% yield).

EXAMPLE 30 Synthesis of 2-Propenoic acid, 3-[4-phenyl]-t-butylester

[0160] Method A. A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 62.2 mg (0.067 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂, bromobenzene (2.62 g, 16.7 mmol), anhydrous tetrabutylammonium bromide (1.07 g, 3.33 mmol) and potassium carbonate (2.53 g, 18.3 mmol), t-butylacrylate (2.99 g, 23.3 mmol) in 10 mL of DMF. The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred and heated to 135-140° C. for 24 h before the mixture was cooled to room temperature and quenched with 25 mL of H₂O. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the solvents removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The product was isolated by bulb-to-bulb distillation. The final product was obtained as a colorless oil (2.65 g, 78% yield).

[0161] Method B. A 50 mL of reactor equipped with magnetic stir bar was charged with 45.3 mg (0.0667 mmol) of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂, bromobenzene (2.62 g, 16.7 mmol), anhydrous tetrabutylammonium bromide (1.07 g, 3.33 mmol) and potassium carbonate (2.53 g, 18.3 mmol), t-butylacrylate (2.99 g, 23.3 mmol) in 10 mL of DMF. The reaction mixture was vigorously stirred and heated to 135-140° C. for 24 h before the mixture was cooled to room temperature and quenched with 25 mL of H₂O. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and diluted with 300 mL of CH₂Cl₂. The layers were separated, and organic layer was washed with H₂O (2×100 mL), brine (100 mL), and dried over mgSO₄, filtered, and the solvents removed from the filtrate by rotary evaporation. The product was isolated by bulb-to-bulb distillation. The final product was obtained as a colorless oil (2.19 g, 64% yield). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷ comprising contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—MgX with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵ or a phosphine sulfoxide compound of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the transition metal is selected from Periodic Group VIII.
 4. The process of claim 3 wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and wherein the transition metal is Ni.
 5. The process of claim 4 wherein R⁷ is an optionally substituted aryl.
 6. The process of claim 5 wherein X is Cl.
 7. The process of claim 6 wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 4-methoxyphenyl and phenyl; R⁷ is o-tolyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl.
 8. A method for the use of phosphine oxides and phosphine sulfoxide as ligands for homogeneous catalysis biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷ comprising: (1) preparing a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵ or a phosphine sulfoxide compound of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring; and 2) contacting a Grignard reagent of the formula R⁷—MgX with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of the coordination compound prepared in step (1) to form biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁷.
 9. The process of claim 8 wherein R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl.
 10. The process of claim 9 wherein the transition metal is selected from Periodic Group VIII.
 11. The process of claim 10 wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and wherein the transition metal is Ni.
 12. The process of claim 11 wherein R⁷ is an optionally substituted aryl.
 13. A process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁶ comprising contacting a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound selected from the group consisting of {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, [(t-Bu)₂P(OH)PdCl₂]₂, and [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.
 14. A process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—R⁶ comprising contacting a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is selected from the group consisting of 3-methoxylphenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 4-thiomethoxyphenyl and phenyl; R⁶ is phenyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl.
 15. The process according to claim 14 wherein the transition metal is Pd or Ni and X is chloro or bromo.
 16. The process according to claim 15 wherein the catalyst is {[(t-BU)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂.
 17. A process to prepare diaryl ketones of the formula R¹—C(═O)—R⁶ comprising contacting a a boronic acid of the formula R⁶—B(OH)₂ with a carbonate salt and an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.
 18. The process according to claim 17 wherein: the catalyst is {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, X is chloro or bromo, R¹ is phenyl; and R⁶ is phenyl.
 19. A process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—S—R⁶ comprising contacting a thiol of the formula R⁶—SH with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a compound of the formula HP(S)R⁴R⁵ or HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.
 20. The process of claim 19 wherein R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl.
 21. The process of claim 20 wherein the transition metal is selected from Periodic Group VIII.
 22. The process of claim 21 wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic, and wherein the transition metal is Pd or Ni.
 23. The process of claim 22 wherein X is Cl or Br.
 24. The process of claim 23 wherein: R¹ is phenyl; R⁶ is phenyl or t-butyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl.
 25. The process of claim 24 wherein the coordination compound is {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂.
 26. A process to prepare biaryls of the formula R¹—PR¹⁰—R⁶ comprising contacting a compound of the formula KPR⁶R¹⁰ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound comprising one or more transition metals complexed to a phosphine oxide compound of the formula HP(O)R⁴R⁵, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic; R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of H and R⁶; and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring.
 27. The process of claim 26 wherein R¹ is an optionally substituted phenyl.
 28. The process of claim 27 wherein the transition metal is selected from Periodic Group VIII.
 29. The process of claim 28 wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl and heterocyclic.
 30. The process of claim 29 wherein R¹⁰ is R⁶, and R⁶ is an optionally substituted aryl.
 31. The process of claim 30 wherein X is Cl and the catalyst is {[R⁴R⁵P(OH)]₂PdCl}₂.
 32. The process of claim 31 wherein: R¹ is 4-tolyl or 2-methoxylphenyl; R⁶ is phenyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ are t-butyl or i-propyl.
 33. A process to prepare arylamines of the formula R¹—NR²R³ comprising contacting an amine of the formula HNR²R³ with an aryl compound of the formula R¹—X in the presence of a catalytic amount of a coordination compound of the formula {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]₂PdCl]}₂, [(t-Bu)₂P(OH)PdCl₂]₂, or [(t-Bu)₂P(Cl)PdCl₂]₂, wherein X is a halogen; R¹ is an optionally substituted aryl; and R² and R³ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R² and R³ can together form a piperidyl ring.
 34. The process according to claim 33 wherein: the catalyst is {[(t-Bu)₂P(OH)]PdCl₂}₂, X is chloro or bromo, R¹ is phenyl; and R⁴ and R⁵ together form a piperidyl.
 35. A phosphine oxide transition metal complex dimer comprising two transition metal atoms bonded to at least one phosphine oxide ligand each, wherein each transition metal is bonded said lignads via metal-phosphorus bonds, and wherein the two transition metal atoms are bridged via two halogen atoms.
 36. The phosphine oxide transition metal complex dimer of claim 35 comprising Formula I, Formula II or Formula III.

wherein: M is a transition metal is selected from Periodic Group VIII; X is a halogen; R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterocyclic, organometallic, Cl, Br, I, SQ₁, OQ₂, PQ₃Q₄, and NQ₅Q₆, where Q₁, Q₂, Q₃, Q₄, Q₅, and Q₆ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, and heterocyclic, and optionally R⁴ and R⁵ can together form a ring. 